Genesis 3:4
Verse
Context
The Serpent’s Deception
3but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’”4“You will not surely die,” the serpent told her.5“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye shall not surely die - Here the father of lies at once appears; and appears too in flatly contradicting the assertion of God. The tempter, through the nachash, insinuates the impossibility of her dying, as if he had said, God has created thee immortal, thy death therefore is impossible; and God knows this, for as thou livest by the tree of life, so shalt thou get increase of wisdom by the tree of knowledge.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye shall not surely die--He proceeded, not only to assure her of perfect impunity, but to promise great benefits from partaking of it.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the serpent said unto the woman,.... In reply to her answer: ye shall not surely die; in direct contradiction to the divine threatening, and which he would insinuate was a mere threatening, and which God never intended to put in execution; so that they had nothing to fear from that, God would never be so rigid and severe, and beat so hard upon them as to put them to death for such an offence, if it was one; he only gave out the menace to frighten them, and deter from it: however, at most it was not a certain thing they should die, and they might safely conclude they would not.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:4-5 You won’t die! This is the exact negation of God’s clear and emphatic words: “you are sure to die” (2:17). The serpent capitalizes on the woman’s uncertainty by baldly denying the penalty and quickly diverting her attention to the supposed prize—to be like God, knowing both good and evil. The deceiver falsely implies that this would be an unqualified good for them. The term rendered God is Elohim; it can also mean “divine beings” (i.e., God and the angels; e.g., Pss 29:1; 89:7).
Genesis 3:4
The Serpent’s Deception
3but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’”4“You will not surely die,” the serpent told her.5“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Gospel According to Oprah
By Erwin Lutzer2.9K09:39GEN 3:4This sermon exposes the lie of the divinity of man, tracing it back to the Garden of Eden where Satan deceived Adam and Eve with the promise that they could be like God. The sermon highlights how this lie is perpetuated through teachings like Eckhart Tolle's concept of transcending pain through higher consciousness and the belief that individuals are divine beings. It contrasts these teachings with the biblical truth of God's uniqueness, transcendence, and sovereignty, emphasizing the danger of self-worship and the distortion of Jesus' identity and teachings.
God Loves Teenagers
By Zac Poonen1.4K59:51GEN 3:4This sermon emphasizes the importance of resisting the lies of the devil, which lead to sin and long-term consequences. It highlights the need to fight against temptations, especially in areas like sexual desires, and to seek Jesus as the ultimate example of overcoming struggles. The speaker shares personal experiences and encourages young people to make wise decisions, honor their parents, and be cautious of the influences around them.
The Truth or the Lie
By John Murray1.2K48:45TruthGEN 3:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the purpose of Jesus coming into the world, which is to bear witness to the truth. Jesus came to accomplish the redemptive work of God and to minister to others. The transformation and change that need to happen in our lives can only occur through Christ, who is the brightness of God's glory and the expression of His grace. As we receive the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Jesus Christ, the truth displaces the lies in our hearts, leading us to prioritize God's kingdom and His righteousness.
Satan's Tactics
By Zac Poonen39425:35GEN 3:4PRO 3:5PRO 14:12LUK 3:38ROM 1:5ROM 8:13This sermon delves into the origins of sin in the human race as described in Genesis 3, highlighting the tactics of Satan to deceive by questioning God's word and love. It emphasizes the importance of total surrender to God for a satisfying Christian life and warns against living by our own reasoning, urging dependence on God for wisdom. The obedience of faith is contrasted with the obedience of reason, stressing the need to trust in the Lord and not lean on our understanding.
(Knowing God's Way) 13. a Consuming Fire in the Midst of the Church
By Zac Poonen0GEN 3:4ISA 33:14ROM 8:281CO 3:171CO 10:132TH 2:11HEB 12:291PE 2:181PE 3:4Zac Poonen preaches about the concept of God as a consuming fire, emphasizing the need for balance in our understanding of God's nature. He highlights the importance of living righteously, rejecting unjust gain, avoiding bloodshed, and shutting our eyes from evil to dwell with the consuming fire of God. Poonen stresses the significance of humility, sincerity, and faithfulness in money matters as qualifications to live with God's consuming fire, warning against hypocrisy and insincerity. He encourages believers to love the truth about themselves, seek salvation from sin, and embrace humility to avoid being deceived and to experience God's refining fire.
The Terror of the Lord
By Samuel Logan Brengle0Judgment and MercyThe Fear of the LordGEN 3:4PSA 9:16PRO 14:9EZK 18:4JHN 1:29ROM 6:232CO 5:11HEB 10:311JN 4:18REV 20:11Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the duality of God's nature, highlighting that while He is rich in mercy, He is equally terrible in wrath. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing the terror of the Lord as a motivator for repentance and a call to holiness, warning that judgment follows wrongdoing just as night follows day. Brengle urges that this truth should be preached earnestly and with reverence, as it reflects the unchangeable holiness of God's character. He contrasts the mockery of sin with the reverential fear that leads believers to seek refuge in God's love and mercy. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a balance of holy fear and love, urging listeners to make their calling sure and endure to the end.
China's Confession ---- Episode 2
By Zhiming Yuan0GEN 3:4GEN 4:8PSA 146:3PRO 16:18ECC 1:9JER 17:9ROM 3:23Zhiming Yuan reflects on the history of China, tracing the downfall of mankind from the loss of godliness and the deception by the great dragon to the rise and fall of emperors who claimed divinity, leading to cycles of devastation, violence, and rebellion. The sermon highlights the tragic consequences of sinful man trying to be holy and godless individuals considering themselves as gods, resulting in power struggles, oppression, bloodshed, and treachery throughout Chinese history.
Sanctified by Faith
By Dougan Clark0GEN 3:4MRK 9:23MRK 11:24JHN 3:16ACT 26:18GAL 3:26HEB 11:11JN 5:14Dougan Clark emphasizes the importance of faith in the relationship between God and man, highlighting how Adam's fall was due to unbelief and the restoration of this bond through faith in Jesus Christ. He explains that faith is the key to becoming children of God and plays a crucial role in salvation, science, daily life, and relationships. Clark delves into the concept of entire sanctification through faith in Jesus Christ, urging believers to ask for a clean heart, perfect love, and the baptism with the Holy Ghost with unwavering confidence in God's promises.
He Hides the Hook!
By Thomas Brooks0Spiritual WarfareDeception of SinGEN 3:42CO 2:11Thomas Brooks warns about the deceptive devices of Satan, who skillfully presents enticing baits while concealing the destructive hooks that follow. He illustrates how Satan lures individuals into sin by showcasing pleasure and profit, much like how he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. Brooks emphasizes the importance of being aware of these snares, as they can ensnare anyone, regardless of their status or wisdom. He cautions that many have fallen into perdition by succumbing to the allure of the world, which promises much but delivers shame and loss. Ultimately, he calls for vigilance against these traps to protect our souls.
Two Great Lies
By James Stalker0GEN 3:4PRO 16:181CO 10:12JAS 4:7James Stalker emphasizes the deceitful tactics of the great tempter, who first minimizes the consequences of sin before we fall, and then convinces us of the hopelessness of redemption after we have fallen. Stalker warns against the falsehood that one fall does not matter, highlighting the irreversible loss and the slippery slope of sin that leads to further falls. He stresses the importance of not underestimating the impact of sin, as it not only affects us but also influences others, creating a cycle that is hard to break.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye shall not surely die - Here the father of lies at once appears; and appears too in flatly contradicting the assertion of God. The tempter, through the nachash, insinuates the impossibility of her dying, as if he had said, God has created thee immortal, thy death therefore is impossible; and God knows this, for as thou livest by the tree of life, so shalt thou get increase of wisdom by the tree of knowledge.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye shall not surely die--He proceeded, not only to assure her of perfect impunity, but to promise great benefits from partaking of it.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the serpent said unto the woman,.... In reply to her answer: ye shall not surely die; in direct contradiction to the divine threatening, and which he would insinuate was a mere threatening, and which God never intended to put in execution; so that they had nothing to fear from that, God would never be so rigid and severe, and beat so hard upon them as to put them to death for such an offence, if it was one; he only gave out the menace to frighten them, and deter from it: however, at most it was not a certain thing they should die, and they might safely conclude they would not.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:4-5 You won’t die! This is the exact negation of God’s clear and emphatic words: “you are sure to die” (2:17). The serpent capitalizes on the woman’s uncertainty by baldly denying the penalty and quickly diverting her attention to the supposed prize—to be like God, knowing both good and evil. The deceiver falsely implies that this would be an unqualified good for them. The term rendered God is Elohim; it can also mean “divine beings” (i.e., God and the angels; e.g., Pss 29:1; 89:7).